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5 Predictions for 2014

Sometimes wrong but never in doubt, here are my predictions for networking in 2014.

Network Functions Virtualization (NFV)

NFV will continue to be a point of focus with Communications Service Providers (CSPs). Its promises of reducing cost and enabling service innovation make it a compelling area for them. We will see a number of NFV deployments in CSP networks this year.

Carrier Class Orchestration

As a result of the focus on NFV, orchestration will continue to grow in importance. Carrier class orchestration includes expanding beyond the data center, accounting for variable cost of resources and a providing for a flexible operational workflow. All of these capabilities are needed to support the move of virtualization from the data center into the central office or customer site.

Software Defined Networking (SDN)

In contrast to the reality of NFV and orchestration, there has been an excessive amount of hype surrounding the rapid growth of SDN in the CSP space. While I believe that SDN will eventually expand beyond the data center, I don’t think that this will happen in 2014.

Routing Renaissance

There has been some talk of the death of routing, with its function being replaced by layer 2 protocols and/or by SDN-type architectures. I don’t buy it. IP is the protocol of choice today, and IP routing is how IP networks are built. In fact, the availability of virtualized routers will lead to a renaissance. Routing will find its way into all sorts of new applications.

Ongoing Mergers

There will be at least two mega-mergers among CSPs.

About the Author

Prayson Pate is Chief Technology Officer and SVP of R&D at Overture, where he is also a co-founder. Prayson is a technology leader and evangelist with a proven track record leading teams and delivering products. Since 1983 he has been building Carrier Ethernet and telecom products for service providers and network operators around the world - both as an individual developer and as a leader of development teams. Prayson spends much of his time driving adoption of Overture's new Ensemble Open Service Architecture, which includes aspects of automation, virtualization, SDN and NFV. He has a BSEE from Duke, an MSECE from NC State and is the holder of nine US patents.